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BMAC Music Business Accelerator Closing Retreat Photos

Photo Credit: 353 Media Group

The 2023 Music Business Accelerator Program culminated with a closing retreat and star-studded educational panel of music luminaries from Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York. Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) in partnership with Amazon Music, Nashville Music Equality, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Wasserman Music presented the Maymester initiative at HBCU Tennessee State University furthering a shared commitment to empower the next generation of Black music artists and professionals. 

The finale panel at the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville featured SiriusXM Host Swaggy Sie, actress/artist Bre-Z, actress/artist Serayahartist/activist YelloPain, producer Rodney Jerkins and Tennessee native artist/songwriter Daisha "The Rap Girl" McBride. Each shared heartfelt stories of the struggles and triumphs from their own perspectives working in the entertainment industry. BMAC Co-Founder/Chair Willie “Prophet” Stiggers and Senior Vice-President Repertoire and Marketing Tim Reid dropped gems of industry wisdom to students from both the 2023 and 2022 programs.

The Music Business Accelerator Program offers Black college students in Tennessee career resources to help them break into the music industry. With an emphasis on mentorship, the program provides access to executives and artists as guest lectures. Announced at BMAC’s second Music In Action Awards Gala, this year’s program was sponsored by Primary Wave’s BMAC-James Brown Education Fund to cover the costs for 30 students to take this elective class for free.

Program highlights included: Tri Star reception hosted by Lou Taylor, Heather Kinder and Country artist Tyler Hubbard on May 8; Def Jam Record Label 101 on May 11 with EVP A&R Naim McNair, VP Marketing Charlene Thomas alongside moderator Prophet, plus actress and Def Jam recording artist Coco Jones; Rolling Loud takeover with Co-Founder / Co-CEO Tariq Cherif, Goldenvoice’s Marcus Johnson, Live Nation’s Gade Raferty and William Morris Endeavor’s Kevin Shivers on May 15. The TSU Artist Session featured Waka Flocka Flame, who gave TSU student Mille Manny an unforgettable experience opening his show at the Brooklyn Bowl on May 18. Amazon Music hosted Music 101 with representatives Gary Bushrod and Frankie Yaptinchay on May 22 ahead of the Closing Retreat on May 25 with a discussion focused on How to use your platform to impact change.

The success follows an inaugural program in 2022, which placed students in opportune internships across multiple music industry companies such as Wasserman Music, Warner Music Nashville and LVRN. Recording artists BRELAND, Blanco Brown and Joy Oladokun as well as members for Post Malone and Mary J. Blige joined initiatives that also featured representatives from YouTube Music, Goldenvoice, BMG andEMPIRE. The launch wrapped guest lectures from super producer Dallas Austin and recording artist Sir The Baptist, both of whom received an honorary doctorate in music from TSU that month, while each student was surprised with their very own Gold plaque from the RIAA. 

BMAC Co-Founder/Chairman, Willie “Prophet” Stiggers says, “We have completed the 2nd year of our Music Business Accelerator Program at Tennessee State University. We had over 30 incredible executives and artists come to Nashville to participate in this year's program that ran from May 8th -May 25th. From Def Jam and Coco Jones, to Lou Taylor and Tyler Hubbard to Tariq and Rolling Loud gifting some students tickets to the Miami show as a prize for building out the best mock Rolling Loud Nashville show, to Waka Flocka and his team giving to up-and-coming artist, Millie Manny, who is a student in this year's class, represents the purpose and potential of this program. Our inaugural program led to several paid internships and full-time employment for 4 students by companies in our industry. Black Music Action Coalition will continue to be intentional about bringing this level of programming, resources and access to the next generation artists, executives and business leaders in our communities.”

"A major highlight this year for me was seeing our music business accelerator program participants from last year transition into workforce development roles this year in an effort to support the new cohort, which is a full circle moment. Nashville's entertainment industry is evolving at an incredible pace. This program is equipping our young professionals with high-level networking experiences, best practices, and employment opportunities which is essential to the success of our young professionals," shares Brian Sexton of Nashville Music Equality/Nashville Promise Zone.

“The Music Business Accelerator program is a great example of the creative community coming together in support of future generations and providing students new access to mentors and opportunities to grow their talents. The participation of the speakers, sponsors and venue hosts proves that the music industry in Nashville is excited about welcoming more voices to the table and fully representing diverse creators. As this program continues to evolve, I look forward to all the possibilities for these students and what awaits the next class!” says Jackie Jones, SVP Artist and Industry Relations, RIAA.

“We were thrilled to bring Maymester back to TSU for a second year,” saysLenore Kinder, Senior Vice President, Wasserman Music. “The Music Business Accelerator Program is an incredible opportunity to provide valuable insight and lasting relationships to these promising students as they forge their careers in Nashville and beyond. Our partners at BMAC, Nashville Music Equality and RIAA with support from Amazon Music share our commitment to creating actionable change in the industry and shaping the next generation of industry leaders.”

 Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Amazon Music, Gary Bushrod adds, “What the Black Music Action Coalition is doing to bridge the racial gap in the music business is invaluable work. As an HBCU graduate myself, I am extremely proud and energized by what the Music Accelerator Program is creating for students at Tennessee State and Fisk University.”